296 patients admitted in hospital due to COVID with 20 in critical condition

There are currently 296 COVID-19 patients admitted in hospital with 20 in critical condition.

The Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong says there are 20 patients who are considered to be in severe condition.

Dr Fong says the national 7-day average daily test positivity is 32.8% and the 7-day daily test average is 1489 tests per day or 1.7 tests per 1,000 population.

He adds the 7-day average of new cases per day is 480 cases per day or 542 cases per million population per day.

Dr Fong says they have noted a drop in cases reported per day recently.

However, Dr Fong adds their daily testing numbers have also been dropping around the same time, due to the change in testing policy in Suva-Nausori.

He says as announced on July 21st only persons that have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 are being targeted for testing in Suva-Nausori.

Dr Fong also says this was done so that resources could be targeted to early detection, monitoring and care of persons with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of severe disease, to prevent more people succumbing to severe disease and death.